McDonald's CEO pushed out after relationship with employee
- Last updated: November 4, 2019 | 13:13
McDonald’s chief executive officer fired after breaching the company’s policy by getting involved in a consensual relationship with an employee, said the corporation on Sunday.
According to the company, the former president and CEO Steve Easterbrook exhibited poor judgment by engaging in a romantic relationship with an employee, knowing that the company forbids managers from such.
In an email to employees, Easterbrook acknowledged being involved with an employee and said it was a mistake.
"Given the values of the company, I agree with the board that it is time for me to move on," Easterbrook said in the email.
The board of directors at McDonald’s voted on Easterbrook’s departure on Friday after a review was carried out. Aside stepping down as the CEO, he will also be leaving the company’s board, Easterbrook was CEO since 2015.
According to the company’s spokesperson, details of Easterbrook’s separation package will be released on Monday in a federal filing.
Details of the employee involved with Easterbrook has been withheld by the company. Easterbrook's attorney declined to answer questions.
The board of directors named Chris Kempczinski, who recently served as president of McDonald's USA, as its new president and CEO.
Two weeks ago, McDonald's reported a 2% drop in net income for the third quarter as it spent heavily on store remodeling and expanded delivery service. The company's share price has dropped 7.5% since, though it's still up 9.2% for the year. The burger chain also has been plagued by declining restaurant traffic.
According to the news release by the company, the change in the company’s leadership is unrelated to the company's operational or financial performance.
McDonald's decision to act may be a sign of progress on workplace issues that have come to light in the #MeToo era, said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond.
"Other companies don't always act on that kind of information or fire their CEO for that, and so it seems like they trying to enforce a pretty strict policy in this situation," Tobias said.
Among other challenges at its restaurants, McDonald's has faced workplace harassment charges. In May, McDonald's said it was enhancing training and offering a new hotline for workers after a labor group filed dozens of sexual harassment charges against the company.
Fight for $15, the group which filed the charges, said McDonald's response to its sexual harassment complaints has been inadequate, and "the company needs to be completely transparent about Easterbrook's firing and any other executive departures related to these issues."
Kempczinski joined McDonald's in 2015. He was responsible for approximately 14,000 McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. He was instrumental in the development of McDonald's strategic plan and oversaw the most comprehensive transformation of the U.S. business in McDonald's history, said Enrique Hernandez, chairman of McDonald's board, in a statement.
Kempczinski described Easterbrook as a mentor.